I entered the office to find Sani seated with his back to me. His first command, "Close the door," caught me off guard, and I obeyed hesitantly. He turned around to face me, and then he uttered unexpected words, "Tell me your story."
I stood there, perplexed. I had always associated terrorists with cold-blooded killers, so his request puzzled me. However, as Sani gazed at me, I could detect a hint of warmth in his eyes that didn't align with his reputation.
To my surprise, he reached down and retrieved a guitar. I was taken aback and stammered, "You play?" Sani responded in fluent English, "I had always loved to play, but my dreams were cut short."
I studied Sani more closely. He had a dark complexion, a scar near his right eye, and a rugged face, likely the result of countless battles. It was hard to reconcile this image with the terrorist label. Lost in my thoughts, I was brought back to reality by Sani's deep voice.
"I know what you are thinking," he said, acknowledging the questions in my mind. I looked at him, and for a moment, I couldn't help but imagine my life before this ordeal. Sani handed me the guitar and said, "Play."
I held the guitar with both hands, took a deep breath, and glanced at the man before me. I poured my heart into the instrument, strumming the guitar strings.
**In the corners of my mind, they reside,**
**Memories, like treasures, on this winding ride.**
**Pictures of the past, so vivid and so clear,**
**Moments we once held, now etched in yesteryear.**
**Oh, memories, sweet and bittersweet,**
**In the tapestry of life, you're oh so fleet.**
**Through laughter and tears, you always stay,**
**Guiding our hearts along the way.**
From childhood dreams to love's first glance,
From youthful adventures to moments of chance.
In photographs and stories, you're alive,
A testament to how we've thrived.
Oh, memories, sweet and bittersweet,
In the tapestry of life, you're oh-so fleet.
Through laughter and tears, you always stay,
Guiding our hearts along the way.
Though years may pass and faces change,
Memories forever in our hearts arranged.
They hold the power to heal and mend,
A timeless gift, on which we depend.
As we grow older, the years unfold,
Yet memories remain, like precious gold.
In the twilight of our days, they'll shine,
A reminder of a life that's oh-so fine.
Oh, memories, sweet and bittersweet,
In the tapestry of life, you're oh-so fleet.
Through laughter and tears, you always stay,
Guiding our hearts along the way.
So let's cherish the moments, both big and small,
For memories are the greatest gift of all.
In the symphony of life, let our voices soar,
With memories to hold, forevermore.
Singing the last line, I looked up to see Sani smiling. I was astonished because I had never seen him smile since I met him.
I then turned to the boy in front of me and couldn't help but smile, too, appreciating the emotional journey the music had taken me on."You play well," Sani commented, breaking the silence. "But you have a lot to learn."
I glanced at Sani, feeling a twinge of pride. I was known as a music prodigy, and my pride couldn't resist showing him how it was done. I took the guitar back from him, wearing a determined expression.
I looked at the boy in front of me and couldn't help but laugh. I playfully snatched the guitar from his hands and said, "Watch and learn." Then, I closed my eyes for a brief moment, connecting with the soul of the guitar before letting my fingers dance on the strings.
In the corners of my mind, they reside,
Memories, like treasures, on this winding ride.
Pictures of the past, so vivid and so clear,
Moments we once held, are now etched in yesteryear.
I've been through fire, I've been through ice,
I've walked through storms, paid every price,
But in these battles, I found my way,
In the darkest hours, I learned to sway.
I've seen the world from high and down so low,
A winding path where dreams began to flow,
With each setback, I found a way to glow,
A warrior's heart, resilience in my soul.
Sani's fingers moved with a fluidity that seemed almost supernatural. He effortlessly transitioned between chords and scales, his hands a blur as he conjured melodies that seemed to dance in the air.
I've been through fire, I've been through ice,
I've walked through storms, paid every price,
But in these battles, I found my way,
In the darkest hours, I learned to sway.
Through shattered dreams and hopes laid bare,
I found my strength, I faced despair,
With every tear, a story shared,
I rise again, I'm unimpaired.
A melody of triumph in my heart,
The past is woven into every part,
Yet here I stand, a brand new start,
With lessons learned, I'll play my part.
Each note was precise and deliberate, yet carried an emotional weight that tugged at the heartstrings of everyone in the room.
As I played, Sani's face remained serene, lost in the world of his music. He didn't need to look at the freeboard; his fingers knew the way. His eyes were windows to his soul, revealing the depth of emotion he poured into every phrase.
I've been through fire, I've been through ice,
I've walked through storms, paid every price,
But in these battles, I found my way,
In the darkest hours, I learned to sway.
So here's my song, a tale of me,
The battles fought, the victory I see,
With every note, I'm finally free,
In music's embrace, I'll always be.
Opening my eyes, I looked at the boy before me. His expression was as if he had seen a ghost. I couldn't help but chuckle at his reaction. I had smiled more today than I had in the past four years.
I turned to him and asked, "What do you think, huh?"
Still in a state of disbelief, the boy stammered, "Have you played professionally?" He seemed awed by the level at which I played.
"Nope," I replied with a hint of humility. "But I have studied music extensively. You could say I'm a professional."
The boy was about to say something when my phone rang. I glanced at the screen, and suddenly, the atmosphere in the room changed.
"Go outside and meet Usman. He will take you to where you will be staying," I instructed the boy, waving my hand dismissively.
He left the room, his confusion evident.
I answered the call, and on the other end, a cold voice spoke, "I told you not to proceed with that operation. Why didn't you listen to my instructions?"
"Not even a greeting," I scoffed. "I told you we were lacking manpower and needed recruits."
"You don't grasp the gravity of what you've done, do you?" The voice grew even colder. "I know that you have a rat in your camp, and to make matters worse, the elections are fast approaching. Do you understand what that means? They will try to bring us down and use us as campaign resources."
My anger flared, and it was evident in my voice as I retorted, "That's your problem to solve. Mine is to take care of how things operate here, Mr. Politician. If you know what's best, try solving your issues and leave mine to me."
"Very well, then," the voice replied, and the call ended.